As the provincial government works to weather a continued global economic storm, this is an important moment to look closely at B.C.’s economic development options. In terms of the potential for job creation and increasing revenue generation for the province, B.C. currently has a tremendous opportunity in the energy sector with natural gas.

The International Energy Agency expects global demand for natural gas to increase 55 per cent by 2035, and has called the next two decades a “golden age” for natural gas.

Fortunately, natural gas is a product that B.C. has in abundance, and has been a key part of our energy picture for more than 55 years. Some 3.7 billion cubic feet per day of this environmentally safe energy source is produced right here, directly employing 12,000 people in communities around the province. Every year, the natural gas sector provides hundreds of millions in tax dollars that help pay for education, health care, and other vital public services upon which we all rely. In the 2011-2012 fiscal year, natural gas provided the province’s largest source of natural resource revenue.

According to the Canadian Energy Research Institute, over the next 25 years Canadian natural gas could provide 10 million person-years of employment; $1.5 trillion in economic activity; $173 billion in federal tax revenues; $132 billion in provincial tax revenues; and $161 billion in royalties. B.C. stands to benefit substantially.

B.C. enjoys vast natural gas reserves that are growing as technology improves and new discoveries are made. We have more than enough natural gas to meet our energy needs for 100 years, even as we expand our use of natural gas in areas like low-emissions transportation, electricity generation, and as a complement to renewable energy like wind and solar.

The new economic opportunity for growing the sector lies abroad. British Columbia’s abundance of natural gas, and location as North America’s strategic link to high-growth markets in Asia, position us well to share our surplus with areas of the world that do not have access to this environmentally sustainable and economically important resource.

Time, however, is of the essence. Other countries, including Australia and the U.S., are already ahead of us in taking steps to meet the market demand in Asia for cleaner energy.

That’s why, to help our province take advantage of the current opportunity, Spectra Energy is proposing a new natural gas system in northern British Columbia. This line will be built to transport natural gas — and only natural gas. The approximately 850-km line will be capable of transporting up to 4.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, connecting plentiful supplies in northeast B.C. to Prince Rupert. There it will serve a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility being proposed by our partner, BG Group, to be transported to new markets.

We understand building a project of this scope, size and importance needs to address the concerns and reflect the valued input of British Columbians. That’s why, in September, Spectra Energy launched a multi-faceted outreach effort to engage residents.

We have also begun the process for an extensive environmental assessment, which presents multiple opportunities for communities, local governments, environmental organizations, and other interested parties to get involved. It also provides for an in-depth consultation process with First Nations groups. These ongoing stakeholder conversations and consultations will help to further refine a conceptual project route which has been developed together with early and valuable input from stakeholders.

The building of the project itself will create thousands of well-paying and community-supporting jobs for British Columbians — more than 4,000 direct jobs over the course of construction. Its ongoing operation and maintenance will also require 50 to 60 permanent positions, as well as protect current upstream jobs and serve as a catalyst for new jobs. Business opportunities will include heavy equipment and industrial parts to catering, hotel rooms and office supplies, and Spectra Energy will continue our tradition of partnering in every way we can with local and First Nations businesses in the procurement process.

B.C. has a unique opportunity, and now is the time to seize it. Now is the time for British Columbians to get behind the economic and environmental opportunities that literally exist under our feet, and support the safe and responsible development of natural gas for the benefit of all.

We’ve built and maintained the backbone of B.C.’s natural gas industry for 55 years. Our company, including the more than 850 Spectra Energy employees who work and live in B.C. communities, believes this industry can be an economic engine in our province for generations to come.

Doug Bloom is president of Spectra Energy Transmission’s western Canadian operations and leads the company’s efforts related to significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure opportunities in B.C. You can connect with Spectra Energy on its proposed natural gas system atwww.energyforbc.ca

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